If you’ve considered buying a 3D printer, you’ve probably also considered the cost of the 3D printer controller. While 3D printers themselves have become more accessible in terms of price, the convenience of a 3D printer-controller combo is still a major consideration. But the good news is that there are many different controllers that fit a wide range of budgets.
Here, we’ve rounded up the best 3D printer controllers to help you find the right one for your needs.
Read on to learn more.
Our Editor’s Best 3d Printer Controllers Reviews
- 【Use for】Resin 3D printer mini heater designed for Resin 3D printers, it is small but powerful, for use in cold weather. It helps you to heat up the resin and rise the ambient temperature. Make your 3D printer work well, save your time and Resin material.
- 【Professional design】Our temperature controller use in cold weather,when temperature lower than 75F/24C, will cause so many problems in LCD DLP 3D print. Such as Print not sticking to the bed, Layer adhesion, warming, and so on. Finally, printing fails.
- 【Professionally manufactured】Our 3D printer heater built-in high-precision industry temperature sensor, accurate to 0.1 ℃. Fireproof case, high-quality power cord, all professionally designed for your safe printing.
- 【Small size】Our 3D printer Thermostat 10.8x5.7x3.2cm/4.25x5.24x1.25 in, 117grams, Prefect for 8-15 inch Resin 3D printer, It only takes 10 minutes from 40F to 80F, for use in cold weather.
- 【Warranty】One-year warranty. If the heater doesn't work within one year, contact us to get a free replacement.
- New version of Mini-Rambo v1.3a, coming with connectors for LCD Smart Controller.
- Three mechanical endstops included.
- Recommended Power supply 12V-28V DC, 16A+.
- 4 x integrated 1/16th microstep motor drivers, 4 PWM Mosfet outputs, 3 thermistor inputs, pwm motor current control
- Pre-assembled, and ready for use.
- Suitable for copiers, fax machines, laser printers, industrial test equipment, networking equipment etc
- LCD control panel through which you can achieve spooling is the 3D model Gcode files are copied to the SD card, and then print the file via the LCD control panel
- 2004 LCD smart controller for 3D printer,Supports for RAMPS 1.4 control board
- This panel connect your RAMPS 1.4. 3D design print without a computer, just use the G code design stored on the SD card, SD card intelligent controller power supply. With Smart LCD Controller you can print 3D designs without USB connection to your computer
- A LCD display module with blue backlight, small and light appearance, suitbale for copiers, fax machines, laser printers, industrial test equipment, networking
- 【MAIN FUNCTION】The highly integrated motherboard solves the problem that the for Ramps1.4 combination interface is cumbersome and prone to failure, and can directly replace the for Ramps1.4.
- 【GOOD STABILITY】The optimized layout wiring and heat dissipation design make the performance of the whole board more stable, support the automatic leveling of the proximity probe, and can debug it yourself.
- 【DRIVER BOARD】The motherboard is driven by the onboard 4 way A4988 16 subdivision stepper driver board motor, and has USB interface, which is convenient for connection and stable in operation.
- 【GOOD HEAT DISSIPATION】Supports 12-24V power input, and adopts high performance low on resistance MOS tube as the driver, with good heat dissipation and effectively solves the heating problem of the hot bed MOS tube.
- 【APPLICABLE MODEL】This motherboard is suitable for Anet A8 PLUS 3D printer, and can be directly connected to for Ramps1.4, 2004LCD and 12864LCD control board (without L type adapter board, already integrated).
- 🎅Mini 3D Printers: Entina TINA2S - a 3D printer for beginners and children, compact body, ready to use out of the box, fully assembled, no complicated settings to start printing, SD card, and APP comes with multiple models, fully meet the printing needs of entry-level players, instantly start the perfect printing experience!
- 🎅Completely intelligent: equipped with the new self-developed APP, massive model library, to achieve one-click control of the printer. Print at your own pace, you can choose to print in multiple ways via APP/USB/Wiibuilder slicing software, fully open source and compatible with Cura, Simplify3d and Slicr3r slicing software.
- 🎅Upgraded wifi printing: upgraded wifi module with 5 times faster file transfer speed, supporting faster and more stable file transfer for a perfect printing experience. Convenient networking design, use PP local APP to network with one click and say goodbye to tedious network settings!
- 🎅Humanized design: built-in led light, at any time and anywhere to observe the printing process of the printer, more clearly show the working status of the printer. Quick-change test nozzle to reduce the printer clogging problem, greatly reducing the difficulty of replacing accessories, making the printer easier to operate, dual Z-axis guide design, to ensure stable movement!
- 🎅Ultra-quiet printing environment: full silent motherboard, give your family a quiet printing environment, upgraded fan support a key to switch the silent mode, the high speed fan helps to achieve better molding effect and excellent print quality, reduce the loss of supplies.
- 🔥Main Control Chip: Adopt STMicroelectronics' latest G0 series main control chip STM32G0B1RET6 or STM32G0B0RET6;
- 🔥Three CNC Fan: Increase the heat dissipation controllable fan to reduce the printer temperature when the device is working;
- 🔥Increased Heat Sink: Redesign the drive heat sink, strengthen the drive heat dissipation capacity, and greatly improve the heat dissipation performance;
- 🔥USB Micro B: The PC communication USB interface is upgraded from Mini USB to Micro USB B, which is more adaptable;
- 🔥Output Power Supply: Increase SPI output port +3.3V power supply, external SPI sensor power supply voltage +3.3V and +5V are optional, support the motherboard to directly supply power to peripherals.
- The RAMPS1.4A is used as driving shield for 3D printers, it is easy to stack it onto the MEGA 2560 control board.
- It has total 5 slots for stepper motor drive module to drive 5-channel stepper motors. The slots are compatible with all kinds of drive modules like A4988, DEV8825.
- There are 3 jumper caps under each slot, which can be used to control the working subdivision of drive modules.
- For example, if connect the A4988 and plug three jumpers, the subdivision port MS1、MS2 and MS3 of A4988 module are at active HIGH, so the A4988 module is in 16-subdivision working mode.
- But if unplug the three jumpers, MS1、MS2 and MS3 of A4988 module are at active LOW, so the A4988 module is in full-step working mode.
- 【Control & Maintain Temperature】 This resin 3d printer heater controller is designed to control the resin printing, so that you can print in any environment where the room temperature is lower than 25 ° C/77 ° F. Start heating when the temperature is lower than the set temperature; Start the fan cycle when the temperature reaches the set temperature.
- 【Reduce Odor】This printing air controller is with fan and activated carbon filters, which can filter odor.
- 【Improve the Printing Quality】With this 3d printer temp controller you can speed up printing time, decreases warping, increases detail level on thick resins.
- 【High Quality Design】The resin 3d printer temperature controller built in high-precision temperature sensor, accurate to 0.1 ℃. Fireproof case, high-quality power cord, all professionally designed for your safe printing.
- 【Widely use】The size is t 10.8x5.7x3.2cm/4.25x2.24x1.25 in, Prefect for most brand resin printer,such as Creality,Anycubic,ELEGOO,Frozen, Flahforge,etc..
- 【controlled and Keep temperature】This heater is design for control your resin printer ,make you can print at any environment where room temperature is less than normal 25°C / 77°F.When the temperature is lower than the set temperature, start heating; when the temperature reaches the set temperature, start fan circulation
- 【Reduce Odor】This heater is with fan and activated carbon filters, which can filter odor.
- 【Improve the printing quality】With this heater you can Speed up printing time, decreases warping, Increases detail level on thick resins.
- 【High quality design】the heater built in high-precision temperature sensor, accurate to 0.1 ℃. Fireproof case, high-quality power cord, all professionally designed for your safe printing.
- 【Widely use】the size is t 10.8x5.7x3.2cm/4.25x5.24x1.25 in, Prefect for most brand resin printer,such as Creality,Anycubic,ELEGOO,Frozen
- 🌈【Silent Control Board】BIGTREETECH DIRECT SKR MINI E3 V2.0 adopts ARM Cortex-M3 series STM32F103RCT6 main control chip with 32-bit CPU 72MHz, integrated with TMC2209 to enhance its stability. It's a super easy drop in replacement for Ender 3 printer.plug and playing.
- 🌈【Better Thermal Dissipation】The hot-bed MOS tube uses WSK220N04, low on-resistance, which reduces heat generation. Enlarged heat dissipation area protects driving chip and components from problems caused by heat sink.
- 🌈【Support Various Functions】BTT SKR MINI E3 V2.0 control board supports various function extensions, such as, BLtouch, filament detection, resumption of shutdown, shutdown after shutdown, etc .
- 🌈【 4 Layers for Board】BIGTREETECH DIRECT SKR MINI E3 V2.0 increased to 4 layers on the control board's back, so as to improve on heat dissipation signal function and anti-interference.
- 🌈【Satisfying Customer Services】If you need any information for SKR MINI E3 V2.0, you could contact us on Amazon, and we'll get back to you within 24 hours.
Best 3d Printer Controllers Buying Guide
Before choosing the best 3D printer controller you should consider following options:
1. RAM Memory: RAM memory is the fastest form of computer memory. It acts as a temporary storage location for the operating system and program files a computer uses.
For 3D printer controllers, RAM memory is used to store information while programs run. It is important that you purchase a 3D printer controller with enough RAM memory to run the programs you will use.
If you are planning to print large, complex objects, you will need a 3D printer controller with at least 1GB of RAM memory. If you are using your 3D printer controller for simpler 3D printing jobs, 512MB will be enough.
2. Flash Memory: Flash memory is a non-volatile storage medium. This means that it can store information even when the power is off.
The information stored in flash memory is used to control the printer’s functions. 3D printer controllers with more flash memory have a higher level of customization.
If you are new to 3D printing and are unsure what settings to use when printing, a 3D printer controller with a limited amount of flash memory may be best.
3. ROM Memory: ROM memory is a non-rewritable form of computer memory that holds an operating system and program instructions.
For a 3D printer controller, ROM memory is used to store the operating system. A higher amount of ROM memory allows the 3D printer controller to run more efficiently and with fewer errors.
A 3D printer controller with 512MB of ROM memory is recommended for new users. Experienced users may find that a 3D printer controller with 1GB of ROM memory is more than enough.
What else you should know about 3d printer controllers
1. What are the different types of 3D printer controllers?
There are three main types of printer controllers:
1. Stand-alone controllers: These controllers are typically dedicated to a single printer and are not connected to a network. They are typically used for lower-end printers.
2. Embedded controllers: These controllers are built into the printer itself and are used for mid-range and high-end printers.
3. Networked controllers: These controllers are connected to a network and can be used to control multiple printers.
2. What are the benefits of using a 3D printer controller?
A printer controller is a device that helps manage printing jobs and sends them to the appropriate printer. It can be used to monitor the progress of print jobs, track printer usage, and control access to printers.
3. What are the features of a 3D printer controller?
Some features of a printer controller may include:
-The ability to connect to and control multiple printers simultaneously
-A user-friendly interface for managing print jobs
-Support for a variety of printing technologies (e.g., inkjet, laser, thermal, etc.)
-Advanced features for managing color printing, paper size and orientation, and other print job settings
4. How does a 3D printer controller work?
A printer controller is a device that connects a printer to a computer. It allows the computer to send data to the printer and receive data from the printer.
5. What are the limitations of a 3D printer controller?
Some printer controllers only work with specific types of printers, so if you change printers you may need to also change the controller. Printers also require specific types and amounts of ink or toner, which the controller may not be able to accommodate.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best 3d printer controllers. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best 3d printer controllers will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.